57 Classic Plus. .

A friend has a guitar with a 57 classic in the neck position, but I have a single coil in the neck position with a humbucker in the bridge position. There is a 57 classic plus that is made for the bridge.

My question is will the 57+ give that same singing sound in the bridge position as the 57 in the neck? That's what I love about the 57 classic. . .but I don't want to route out my tele. .

The '57 Plus is a slightly hotter wind of the '57 Classic, so if you dug the '57 Classic, you'll like the '57 Plus. You could also do a '57 Classic in the bridge as well.

I was wondering about that, thanks. . .I just don't know what the variance in sound would be between the two in the different positions. When I heard the friend play with his new 57 classic, it was OMG that's the sound I want!!

But I just want to have the best of both worlds, I guess! If I can get that same singing beautiful sound at the bridge pickup that would be awesome.

I don't want it to be too bright though. . .would you say the 57 Classic would be better in the bridge pickup for a less bright sound?

Well, a pickup in the bridge position won't sound like a pickup in the neck position. If you like the "vibe" of the '57 then for a bridge position a '57 Classic or Plus will definitely get you there. Playing with your volume and tone knobs could help "darken" or ease up the attack of your pickup as well.

If you want something less bright and biting, then I'd go for a hotter wind of pickup. Really depends on what you're wanting from a bridge pickup. If you want vintage, a '57 or a Duncan '59 will get you there but will have the classic "brightness" of a vintage bridge humbucker. It's not a bad thing, but if a darker, fatter sound is what you're after, I'd suggest a Duncan Custom Custom for an overwound Alnico II humbucker that would sound thicker and fatter in the bridge.

I just want the sound of the 57 Classic from the neck on my friends guitar but I want it in the bridge position, I don't know if the Duncan would give me that sound. but I do not like really bright sounds, I never use the bridge pick up hardly. .

Like I said, the '57 Classic in the bridge will definitely keep the same vibe as the '57 Classic neck pickup, but it may be brighter than what you're thinking. When I played a '61 SG, the '57 Classic had quite a bit of bite, not unlike a Tele pickup in that sense (but I like that). The '57 Classic in the neck was round and smooth with a bit of sparkle.

Also depends on what you're running it through. If you've got a darker toned amp, such as a Marshall, you're probably going to avoid a brighter sound. But if you've got a Vox or a Fender, it may be too bright.

The cool thing is, companies like Seymour Duncan and DiMarzio have a return policy where they'll swap out a pickup of equal value within a certain period of time. I'm not aware of a return policy for Gibson. Plus, you can always call Duncan or DiMarzio for a pickup suggestion. There's also a TON of smaller guys out there that will wind anything you want as well (but that depends on your budget too).

Ah, the amp factor, that's good to consider. . .thanks for that tip. I might be able to factor in a speaker change, if needed to tame an overly bright pickup.

Ah, the amp factor, that's good to consider. . .thanks for that tip. I might be able to factor in a speaker change, if needed to tame an overly bright pickup.

If you don't mind me asking - what amp are you using?

I have a choice of amps, peavey, ampeg, fender that friends let me use. . .I've got the key to the music room!!

Depending on what you're using and the level of gain, I'd also like to suggest the Alnico II Pro and Slash Alnico II Pro humbuckers. They're "sweeter" sounding to my ears than the '57 Classic and sing with overdrive, especially in the bridge.

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